How to scrim?

[Wightman]

Hey guys tried to look it up to no prevail. How do you do scrim work? In fine detail like on scales of course.

[RezDog]

I have done some. In principal it is very simple. Sand bone or ivory to at least 600 and no more than 1000. Give it several coats of a quality wax, like renwax. Draw or transfer you design, then using a very hard scribe start making lines and dots. Once you have many dots and lines do a light coat of India ink, then clean off the excess. Another coat of wax and some more drawing and go again. Repeat until the image is complete.
If you are using a pencil to transfer and you sand over 1000 grit the pencil starts to skate. You will also need either crazy keen eyes or magnification. I use a visor.
The cousin of scrimshaw is pointillism. I can’t, but there are peeps out there that can scrim images in full colour that are of near photographic quality. My work is more impression than photo quality. I have fun with it.

[ejmolitor37]

Rez gives great advice. I have looked into it and YouTube has some good videos. It takes an amazing artistic talent IMO. Usually your work piece is very small compared to drawing. Looks amazing when done. Rez has some sweet pieces floating around

[MrZ]

Ok Rez, the rule is it didnt happen without photos. If you have any pics, I would love to see. All of you guys are amazing. Between the craftsmanship and the knowledge that is accumulated here, I am always astonished by what I see.

[RezDog]

Here’s a couple but the other pictures appear to be hiding on me. They are also buried around on the forum.

[MrZ]

Yep, you are the man!

[Wightman]

Those are beautiful Rez. I'm working on some scales kind of inspired by MoulinRouge and Mycarvers work I have been seeing on here. Just was wondering how to do some colourful accents. Would this same principal work on wood. Should I would imagine eh? coat, engrave, fill with dye or stain or paint etc, than coat over?

[RezDog]

In theory yes. The pores and internal veins on wood are much great and complex. I think stabilized wood it would work well, just waxed wood will take a lot of experimenting.